The Traveler - Hidden Fun at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Minnesota State Parks and Trails The Traveler October 2014
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park You know the lighthouse, but have you seen the waterfalls along Split Rock River, skipped stones at Pebble Beach or hiked the beautiful trails within the park? Head to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park for an afternoon, weekend or week-long family adventure!
The List - Skyline Sights Many Minnesota state parks offer stunning birds-eye views from fire towers or scenic overlooks. Take in the brilliant colors of fall from the Itasca State Park fire tower or hike along the scenic River Trail at Interstate State Park for views of the St. Croix River gorge. The hike up Mount Tom at Sibley State Park overlooks colorful forest, farmland, prairie and lakes. Click below for more spots for skyline sights!
Campfire Cookin' - Baked Monkey Pickles Top a banana with some melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows and you have a dessert that'll get the whole campground gathered around your fire. Plus, it's super simple to make - even the littlest hands can help!
1 monkey pickle (banana)
chocolate chips or candy bar pieces
miniature marshmallows
aluminum foil
Do not remove the banana peel; you will be cooking the banana in its peel. Slit inside the curve of the peel and banana. Carefully open the slit to place pieces of chocolate and marshmallows inside. Close the banana and wrap it in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped banana in a small pile of coals in your bonfire for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the marshmallows and chocolate have melted. Carefully remove the banana from the coals, peel open and dig in!
How'd your Baked Monkey Pickle taste? We'd love to hear about your campfire cookin' stories. Share them with us on Twitter @mnstateparks.
Discover - Why Leaves Change Color Leaves contain several different kinds of chemicals, called pigments, each with a special color. During the summer, the leaves are a lush green from the chemical chlorophyll. In the autumn, the cooler temperatures and shorter days cause the trees to stop making chlorophyll. This allows other pigments to show through, including yellows and golds and oranges.
The sunny days and cool nights that we've seen this fall have created brilliant colors across the state. For help planning a fall color trip, head over to the Fall Color Finder for weekly map updates and beautiful photos.
October Events - Fall Pumpkins
Saturday, Oct. 18: Visit Maplewood State Park for the Halloween Fun Festival - filled with fun, food and craft projects!
Saturday, Oct. 18: Stop by William O'Brien State Park for a special fall festival - Happy Falloween! (see photo) Pumpkin painting, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and more.
Saturday, Oct. 25: Travel along paved trails to the shore of Lake Superior at Gooseberry Falls State Park during the Candlelight Pumpkin Parade.
Saturday, Oct. 25: Head to Lake Maria State Park for the annual Halloween Howl celebration with stories, activities and costumed fun!
